Man, woman found shot to death in house

YOUNGSTOWN -- A man and woman in their early 20s were found shot to death today in a small Valley Street house, which had surveillance cameras mounted on the downspouts and guard dogs in the yard. Detectives wanted relatives to be notified before releasing the victims' identities. Vanessa Payne, who stood outside the house during the initial investigation this morning, identified the male victim as Edgar Davis Jr., her nephew. She said he and the dead woman have a child together. Detective Sgt. Ron Rodway said the victims were found in the kitchen/living room of 1004 Valley. He said the surveillance cameras outside the house and monitors inside were evidence of drug activity, adding that police have received such complaints about the place. The sister of the dead woman, who was concerned when she didn't come home last night, discovered the bodies between 6 and 6:30 a.m. today, Rodway said. The detective, pointing to empty houses on either side of 1004 Valley, said guns and ammunition were found in one house and possibly stolen items were found in the other. Capt. Kenneth Centorame, chief of detectives, said there were no suspects at this time. Two dogs, a Rottweiler and pit bull that had been chained outside, were taken away by a deputy dog warden. A third mixed-breed dog found running loose also was taken. The victims are the 24th and 25th homicides of the year.